Plot charge: Stalin raises privilege against Jaya

Tamil Nadu8217;s Local Administration Minister M K Stalin on Thursday raised a privilege issue in the Assembly...

Tamil Nadu8217;s Local Administration Minister M K Stalin on Thursday raised a privilege issue in the Assembly against AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa for accusing him of plotting to kill her, triggering unruly scenes and protests from AIADMK members, who were later suspended for the rest of the session.

Maintaining that there was prima facie evidence for the privilege issue, Speaker R Avudaippan referred it to the privileges committee. As soon as Stalin, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi8217;s son, raised the issue, AIADMK MLAs raised slogans and continued to do so until he finished his speech.

Stalin said Jayalalithaa had accused him of plotting to kill her before the next Assembly elections. When he went on to say that it had become a habit with her to make such allegations, the AIADMK members stood up, shouting slogans.

Even as DMK members watched quietly, the Speaker ordered their eviction. But when the AIADMK members refused to leave, they were removed by the watch and ward staff. The House later passed a resolution, suspending the AIADMK members for the rest of the session.

Jayalalithaa had committed a breach of privilege by making a serious charge against him and should prove her charges or face the court, Stalin said, adding that the Makkal Kural and Namathu MGR, the AIADMK organ, and Jaya TV, had also committed breach of privilege by publishing the allegations. Jayalalithaa had accused the DMK of trying to kill her by getting a truck to collide with a car in which she was travelling, Stalin said, recalling that she had accused former Governor Chenna Reddy of trying 8220;to misbehave8221; with her.

Later, a few Congress and CPI members demanded stern action against the AIADMK members for their 8220;unruly behaviour lowering the dignity of the House8221;.

Meanwhile, condemning the unruly incidents in the Assembly, Karunanidhi said it was 8220;deliberate and pre-planned8221;. As for Jayalalithaa8217;s charge that she had not been given sufficient security on par with her 8216;Z plus8217; status, the Chief Minister said 55 personnel were on duty providing protection to her in three shifts. While the number of personnel had not been reduced even though she is out of power, his Government was ready to provide 8216;more security8217; if she wanted, he said. And, according to a request by her, the security officers who headed the team when she was Chief Minister had not been changed.

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Terming the suspension of her party MLAs for the rest of the ongoing Assembly session as 8220;anti-democratic,8221; Jayalalithaa alleged that the DMK Government wanted to pass several 8220;anti-people8221; Bills in the House without any opposition.